OREANDA-NEWS. In 2006, RUSAL invested US$603 million in order to expand, reconstruct and modernise its production capabilities.
 
According to the press service of the company, RUSAL's investments into research and development expenditure amounted to US$38 million. The investments include the development of engineering solutions to optimise production and improve technologic processes at company's aluminium smelters, alumina refineries, service facilities; research and development in hydropower projects.

As a part of the environmental care programme, RUSAL implemented an upgrade programme at Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter that included the modernisation of two process lines for manufacturing ‘dry' anode paste, launch of the four new dry gas treatment facilities and the introduction of automated alumina point feeders at six potrooms. RUSAL has completed the technical stage of casthouse production modernisation and has launched new casthouse complexes for manufacturing can alloys and slabs. The Company has put into operation two new process lines for the cutting of billets and a container terminal. The overall investments into Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter modernisation in 2006 amounted to US$89 million.

The modernisation of Sayanogorsk Aluminium Smelter in 2006 was aimed at bolstering the output of aluminium and alloys. RUSAL has completed the modernisation of the second casthouse and the installation of the new homogenisation line for billet production. Investment into the modernisation of the Sayanogorsk Aluminium Smelter equalled US$46.5 million.

In 2006 RUSAL proceeded with the modernisation of the Nikolayev Alumina Refinery to grow output to 1.6 million tonnes of alumina per annum. The company invested US$45.9 million into the project.

RUSAL continues expand the production capacity of Achinsk Alumina Refinery in order to bolster its output to 1.1 million tonnes of alumina per annum. The total investment into this project in 2006 amounted to US$17 million.